Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccine May Be Causing Autism Julie Briggs

Timeline of Important Events 7. B.C- References to measles was noted Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler coined the term autism. At this time autism referred to adult schizophrenia Dr. Leo Kanner of John Hopkins described autism for the first time. This came from his discovery of 11 children he observed between 1938 and He studied children who had withdrawal from human contact as early as age Licensed measles vaccine became available Autism Society of America is established by psychologist Bernard Rimland. This was the first advocacy group for parents of children with autism Wakefield and colleagues published a paper that suggested that the MMR vaccine was liked to cases of autism.

Timeline continued… In response to broad government concerns, vaccine makers removed thimerosal from all routine childhood vaccines Autism hearings took place in the U.S. They were legal hearings where parents who thought their child’s autism was caused by vaccines grouped together to sue the government and vaccine makers.

MMR Vaccine The combined vaccine known as MMR became available in Children receive two doses of the vaccine. The first dose is given at months of age, and the second dose is usually around 4-6 years of age before entering school. Children are given a second dose because 5-10% of children are not fully protected against the disease after the first dose. That percentage drops to 1% after the second dose.

Autism The Autism Society of America defines autism as a “complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees” (Autism Society of America, 2008).

There are several major brain structures that are implicated in children with autism. e:Autismbrain.jpg

Autism… Autism rates are at an all time high! Many professionals can not point to one reason why rates are high, but professionals do provide some possibilities for the increase. o Broadened definitions o Increase in public awareness o Diagnostic substitution

The Issue History of the issue o Andrew Wakefield -Studied Chron’s disease and measles in early 90’s. - Studied Autism and measles, and published his study in the mid 90’s. o Wakefield’s study produced worry and huge controversy. And was ultimately the start of the issue.

The Issue … The Government and health Organizations The U.S government, along with many health organizations, have constantly denied the link between MMR and autism. Some of these health organizations include the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety. “The weight of the evidence indicates that the vaccine are not associated with autism” (CDC, 2008).

The Issue… Scientist and Parents o Scientist like Arthur Krigsman have mirrored Wakefield’s study and found the same results. o Some Parents of children with autism are now suing. And other parents refuse to immunize their children. o Hannah Poling case. The Government settled in the Poling case saying that MMR vaccine did cause her autism.

The Future oThere is need for further research to see if there are certain DNA and genetic abnormalities in some children that the vaccine affects and therefore causing the child’s autism. oDuring an interview on CNN Dr. Jon Poling (Hannah Poling’s father) suggests that it is important to continue vaccinating children but for pediatricians to assess their patients individually and develop safe vaccine schedules for each individual patient Poling Interview

QUESTIONS?

References o Autism Society of America, (2008, January 21). About autism. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from Autism Society of America Web site: society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_homehttp:// society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home o National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, (2007, October 10). Autism brain. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Wikipedia Web site: o Fighting Autism, (2007). Autism state rankings. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Fighting autism: Research, education, treatment Web site: o Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (2008, September 4). Is there a relationship between vaccines and autism? Retrieved February 24, 2009, from Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: